Read Online Cat's Cradle by Julia Golding - Free Book Online

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    â€˜I’d give anything to have Mam back, so I know why you feel you must find out,’ she said at last. ‘It’s not been the same without her keeping the boys in hand. They’ve gone wild.’
    â€˜Thank you for saying that. Everyone else has been warning me off. I know I’m probably in for a disappointment, but I can’t not know.’
    â€˜To be sure, you can’t. I’d be up to Scotland in two shakes of a lamb’s tail if it were me.’
    Her gentle understanding was so welcome, convincing me that my decision to go was the right one. My mind turned to the practicalities. I drummed my fingers on the table – an annoying habit I knew I had to conquer now there was no Billy to provoke. ‘I just don’t know how to get there, Bridgit. I’ve not much money and I can hardly go on my own. It’s impossible – the fare for the stagecoach is more than I can earn in months.’ The shop bell rang as a new customer came in. I noted vaguely that there seemed to be quite a commotion out the front. ‘None of my friends here have money to throw away on such a hopeless venture.’
    â€˜Er, Cat –’ Bridgit tried to get my attention but I was far away pondering my predicament.
    â€˜I’ll never get there – not unless I rob the stage myself.’
    She nudged me, nodding vigorously over my head. ‘Cat –’
    Finally, I turned round. Standing in the doorway, looking every inch the noble, was the Earl of Arden.
    I shot up from my chair like a rocket at a Vauxhall fireworks show. ‘Frank!’
    Outside in the narrow lane I could see his carriage blocking the street, his horses held by a groom in smart livery.
    He hugged me with a great gust of laughter. ‘Turning highwayman now, Cat? Just as well I got back in time.’
    I swatted him. ‘Aren’t you supposed to be studying?’
    â€˜Aren’t you supposed to be touring the West Indies?’
    â€˜There was a slight change of plan.’
    â€˜So I see. And who could read Pliny whenCat Royal comes to town?’
    â€˜You make me sound like the circus.’
    He grinned. ‘When I heard you were home, I decided to break the record for the fastest Cambridge-to-London journey. Wagered my next term’s allowance on the outcome.’
    I frowned, easing back to look at him. ‘And did you win?’
    â€˜Royally, I’d say.’
    â€˜Hmm. I’m tempted to tell your mother.’
    â€˜You wouldn’t stoop so low.’
    Bridgit, who had been looking most uncomfortable since Widow King’s had been invaded by such a glittering representative of the ruling classes, made to slide out the door. I cursed myself for my lack of thought.
    â€˜Frank, may I introduce Miss Bridgit O’Riley?’ Frank gave her a beautiful bow. ‘Miss O’Riley, Frank, sometimes known as the Earl of Arden.’
    She bobbed a curtsey, keeping her head down. ‘I’ll be going now, Cat; your lordship.’
    â€˜If you’re sure,’ I said, understanding how strange this might all appear to her.
    She nodded.
    â€˜I’ll see you soon, I hope?’
    â€˜If it please you.’
    â€˜Yes, it would.’
    With a brief flicker of a smile, she darted out of the shop.
    Frank followed her with speculative eyes. ‘New friend?’
    â€˜I hope so. A stunner, isn’t she? Want a bun?’
    Frank grabbed the spare roll, tossed Caleb a sovereign, and escorted me to the door.
    â€˜Would Miss Royal care to take a spin in my new curricle?’ he asked with mischievous formality.
    â€˜What? That two-wheeled death trap?’ His matched pair of Cleveland Bays stamped their hooves, looking remarkably fresh after their dash from Cambridge. ‘Are you sure you know how to drive it?’
    â€˜I passed our head coachman’s test with flying colours, I’ll have you know. I can turn on a sixpence and control the